BMW announced today that the electric i3 will go on sale in the U.S. during the second quarter of 2014.

The BMW i3 will have an abundance of features, such as three trim levels (Mega, Giga and Tera). It will also sport a 22-kilowatt, 450-pound lithium ion battery, which will provide power to a rear-mounted electric motor. The i3 packs 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, allowing the single-gear i3 to accelerate from 0-30 miles per hour in 3.5 seconds and 0-60 mph in about 7.0 seconds. However, its top speed is 93 MPH.

The i3 has an electric range of 80-100 miles, and the battery can be charged with a standard system in about three hours. For those who need faster charging, there's the SAE DC Combo Fast Charger for a full charge in only 30 minutes. An optional 34-hp, 650cc two-cylinder generator can be added for additional range.

The EV will also offer its LifeDrive architecture, which is the overall design of the vehicle through the Life Module and the Drive Module. The Life Module is the first mass-produced monocoque made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), and it's 30 percent lighter than aluminum for an overall weight of 2,700 pounds. The Drive Module, on the other hand, is an aluminum chassis placed under the Life Module, and it contains parts like the battery.

"The new all-electric BMW i3 is a landmark in BMW's mission to provide a completely sustainable, electric vehicle that still stays true to the Ultimate Driving Machine moniker," said BMW. "The BMW i3 is the first product of the new BMW i sub-brand, and is a truly purpose built electric car. It's a new era for electro mobility at BMW."

The i3 will have a price tag of $41,350 when released in the U.S. during Q2 2014.

At some point the grid will run on things other than coal, or any other fossil fuel for that matter. The cars are agnostic as to how the electricity they use is produced. Who knows what will power the grid in the future, but we do know that oil, and fossil fuels in general, will run out at some point. The future of the grid most likely lays in many forms of renewables like wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, maybe even nuclear fusion so at that point the car's power will be clean. Better to get our vehicle fleet off of oil ASAP to make the transition that much easier.

Yes, I'm sure there will be. Then you can kiss your weekend drive into the country for the sights. The blue skies, trees and lakes will be blocked by mammoth wind turbines and solar collecting fields. Oh joy!!

quote: Yes, I'm sure there will be. Then you can kiss your weekend drive into the country for the sights. The blue skies, trees and lakes will be blocked by mammoth wind turbines and solar collecting fields. Oh joy!!

No. If we have to kiss our weekend drive into the country for sights good bye, then it's most likely because of population growth. That will never happen as the earth can only sustain so many humans since we create so much waste and pollution. Before that even happen, humans will probably kill themselves through endless wars or enforce a world wide population control policy.

It's clear that everyone is looking at nuclear fusion for the future. Stop imagining some BS world covered with wind turbines and solar panels. We don't even have the resources to do that. This is the real world, not Final Fantasy

quote: It's clear that everyone is looking at nuclear fusion for the future.

Except the environmentalists that attempt to block every single nuclear plant with endless lawsuits. Also, you must not get out often (most city folks don't despite their claims to be "worldly") as wind farms are ALREADY "polluting" formerly beautiful views.

quote: No. If we have to kiss our weekend drive into the country for sights good bye, then it's most likely because of population growth. That will never happen as the earth can only sustain so many humans since we create so much waste and pollution. Before that even happen, humans will probably kill themselves through endless wars or enforce a world wide population control policy.